Chemical attributes of an ultisol cultivated with sugarcane after application of high doses of vinasse

ABSTRACT The use of high doses of vinasse in sugarcane crop can cause modifications in the chemical characteristics of the soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of high doses of vinasse on the chemical characteristics of an Ultisol cultivated with sugarcane for 210 days. The treatments used were doses equivalent to 0 (D0), 150 (D150), 300 (D300), 600 (D600) and 1200 (D1200) m3 ha-1 of vinasse plus a control treatment with mineral fertilization. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and six repetitions. Exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) contents, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage, electrical conductivity and pH were analyzed at 90, 120, 150 and 210 days after planting (DAP), in addition to microbial basal respiration at 210 days at depths of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m. Soil pH increased with the use of vinasse within the proper range for sugarcane, varying from 6.2 to 6.4. The highest K and Na contents were found at D600 and D1200; the highest K and Na availability occurred at 120 DAP and 150 DAP, respectively, indicating competition between these nutrients for exchange sites. Organic matter content was proportionally high according to the vinasse dose applied. D600 and D1200 doses increased Na content in the soil, with greater magnitude at the 0-0.20 m depth.